Rose to start for Spurs as Pochettino shuffles pack but Lamela must wait

24 October 2017 04:39

Danny Rose is set to make his first Tottenham start in almost nine months against West Ham in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday.

But Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino admits Erik Lamela is still not ready to return, despite hopes the winger would feature against the Hammers at Wembley.

Rose came on for the last 10 minutes of Tottenham’s Champions League draw with Real Madrid last week but his appearance off the bench was partly forced due to injuries elsewhere.

Asked at his pre-match press conference if Rose could be in the line-up to face West Ham, Pochettino said: “Yes, we need to wait until tomorrow. But in my head maybe there is a possibility for him to start the game tomorrow, yes.”

Erik Lamela will have to sit out the clash against West Ham (Nick Potts/PA)

The news regarding Lamela, however, was less positive. Pochettino had said last week this match could see Lamela make his long-awaited return but the Argentinian is still not ready for competitive action.

Lamela last played against Liverpool, also in the League Cup, on October 25 last year before suffering a hip injury in training.

“Erik is not on the list, he is doing well but he is not available,” Pochettino said.

“I don’t know how close [he is]. After nearly one year out, I cannot say tomorrow, one week or one month.”

Mousa Dembele is back in training after also struggling with a hip injury but the Belgian is unlikely to be risked, with a visit to Manchester United in the Premier League to come on Saturday.